Al Ahram, P.4 (28-10-2008)

Legitimate inquiry

By: Sajini Dularamani

    The poor of India have the right to wonder why their government sent  a mission to the moon at a time, while the international indicators refer to the fact that India has the largest number of hungry people in the world and its rank on this list is worse than those of countries, like Laos and Burkina Faso. Moreover, the Indians suffer from several serious problems, such as shortage of potable water, spread of diseases and poor infrastructure. Also, they have the right to wonder why the country is so proud of this achievement, which was previously realized by other countries, like China and Japan.

In fact, there are several reasons that can justify India's launch of its mission to the moon. First, India wants to catch up with China and maximize its stakes and pivotal role in the race for the leadership of Asia. Second, India has realized the significance of joining the elite lunar club. More importantly, India will explore the possibility of finding helium-3 on the moon, which can be used to produce a completely environment-friendly clean energy. Two helium-3 atoms are fused to produce normal helium and energy. The fuel is non-radioactive and so it is a perfect energy source. Accordingly, helium-3 can find practical solutions for the problem of shortage of potable water in India.

In this context, I would like to numerate India's gains as mentioned by the great scientist Farouk Al Baz, who gave many reasons explaining why this mission is worthy to spend on.

Firstly: India has proved that poverty should not constitute an obstacle in face of scientific progress, and the domain of scientific research is not restricted to and monopolized by the developed countries. This great achievement by the Indian scientists after thirty years of hard work and accumulation of knowledge can set a model that can be recurred in other fields.

Secondly, the project that is estimated to have cost US$ 78 million stands as a proof of India's scientific advancement and competitive financial capabilities too.  The cost of this project is much less than those made by China and Japan, and so this will further promote India's status in the market of spacecrafts and increase others' trust in India's products in general.

Thirdly, India, by possessing such high skills in one of the most advanced scientific fields, will turn it into a partner rather than just receiver of the benefits of technologies. It is worth mentioning that the Indian spacecraft, Chandrayaan-1, carries aboard American, British, German and Swedish equipment, which are to be used to probe on the moon's surface to explore the possibility of the presence of minerals and water.

Fourthly, such a magnificent success can attract youth to indulge more and more in learning modern sciences and excel in them. 

On his part, the Indian PM Manmohan Singh was keen to extend words of thanks to the Indian scientists for the great efforts they exerted for the sake of their nation.

Now, it is the duty of those scientists to look for practical solutions for the problem of poverty in their country and give satisfactory answers for
the legitimate inquiries of the poor.

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